What does Colm mean?
Colm means “dove,” from the Latin columba; Saint Colm Cille (Columba) bore it.
What does Oisin mean?
Oisín means “little deer” or “fawn.” He is the poet-warrior of Irish legend.
Colm vs Oisin
Which is more popular?
Oisin is more popular than Colm today: about 22 US babies were given the name Oisin in 2025, compared with 12 named Colm.
| Colm | Oisin | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Dove | Little deer |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | KUL-um | uh-SHEEN |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1962 | 1991 |
| Peak year | 2007 (28) | 2020 (31) |
| In 2025 | 12 | 22 |
| Trend | Steady | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Colm
Oisin
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Colm | Oisin |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 84 | 157 |
| 2010s | 145 | 181 |
| 2000s | 189 | 132 |
| 1990s | 119 | 43 |
| 1980s | 44 | 0 |
| 1970s | 49 | 0 |
| 1960s | 32 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Colm or Oisin more popular?
Oisin is more popular than Colm today: about 22 US babies were given the name Oisin in 2025, compared with 12 named Colm.
What is the difference between Colm and Oisin?
Colm means Dove (Irish origin), while Oisin means Little deer (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Colm or Oisin?
In US records, Colm first appears in 1962 and Oisin in 1991, so Colm has the longer recorded history.